“The appeal is on behalf of millions of people around the world: men, women, children and the elderly who urgently need our support,” said Ms. Amos. “They are displaced from their homes, hungry, unprotected and vulnerable, living with the consequences of natural disasters and violent conflict. As we enter 2013, there is no let-up in humanitarian needs in the world.”

The Appeal reflects an effort by 520 international aid organizations – including UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and other international organizations – to calculate detailed and costed response plans for the year. It will be used as a basis for humanitarian operations and resource allocations throughout 2013.

“We are meeting the urgent humanitarian needs for food security and nutrition, shelter, water, health and other basic needs, while simultaneously helping communities recover from emergencies. A unified response can save lives and help communities become more resilient,” said Ms. Cousin from WFP.

The largest appeal, seeking $1.3 billion, will provide life-saving assistance to 3.8 million people, including nearly quarter of a million malnourished children in Somalia. Other top appeals are for South Sudan ($1.15 billion) and Sudan ($983 billion) where conflict and displacement have affected hundreds of thousands of people.

“The ongoing global economic crisis means that fewer resources are available, yet we are seeing large numbers of people living in crisis situations due to poverty, conflict and natural disasters,” said Mr. Roy of Caritas Internationalis. “It’s vital that donors support us, through the consolidated appeals, to carry out this joint humanitarian work.”

Eight of the sixteen appeals are higher than those for the same countries in 2012, including dramatic increases for Mauritania and Mali in the Sahel region of West Africa. In Mauritania, over a million people require urgent food aid and more than 100,000 children suffer from malnutrition. In recent months, food insecurity has extended into areas that were not affected earlier in 2012. Conflict and displacement in northern Mali continue to exacerbate the food and nutrition crisis throughout the region. There are now more than 200,000 Malian refugees in neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania.

“In West Africa and across the Sahel, there is food insecurity, access difficulties and security problems. This will continue in 2013 and that is why these countries are included in the appeal,” added Ms. Amos.

The CAP also serves as a detailed work plan for the humanitarian community. It helps aid organizations coordinate operational plans and funding requests in a more strategic and comprehensive way.

“I would like to pay tribute to the communities, civil society organizations, businesses, local and national governments which are the first responders and throughout a protracted crisis, important providers of support and help. International humanitarian organizations supplement and support their efforts,” said Ms. Amos concluding the appeal launch.